Andrew olson



UNITED STATES gPATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW OLSON, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND-FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OHIO.

PAPER-FOLDING MACHINE.

Spsclcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

Application lediApril 19, 1918. ,Serial'Na 229,544.

chines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvementsy in i paper folding machines and has for vkits ob ject the provlsion of means for effecting the accurate folding of signatures, particularly when curled or damaged stock is vbeing folded. The im rovementsfimmediatelyrelate to the buck ing plates of a paper folding machine and contemplate both the-adjustment and proper construction thereof, and the positioning of the `buckling` vand folding rolls associated with Such buckling late. i p It is well understood that folding machines must operate successfully upon widely different classesof paper stock, and the folds therein must be formed with great accuracy and rapidity. However, a difficulty frequently encountered in the operation of other folding machines,'has arisen through the curling of the edge of the sheet and more particularly, when thin paper stock is being folded. Such sheets have a tendency to enter the rolls at a slight angle or even stall therein. yThe same difficulty, moreover, is encountered vwhen the edge of the sheet is somewhat torn or frayed.

The present improvements have been devised to overcome the difficulty above referred to, and better adapt the folding mechanism for use with wide ranges of paper stock. To accomplish this, several changes have been effected in the 'folding machine of the prior-art. First, a set of buckling and folding rolls 'are positioned with their axes respectively Lspaced at an obtuse angle. folding or buckling plate is extended, so that its forward edge is described approximately by a plane passing through the axes of the firstbuckling roll and the second folding roll, while' its face is curved to effect an advancebuckle in the sheet of aper, prior to its entry between the fo ding rolls. Third, the second member or grid -of the folding or buckling plate is made adjustable not only with respect to the .set of. .f91fl' Second, the throat of the,r

ing and buckling rolls, but a spacing adjustment is provided with respect to the other member or grid forming the folding plate. These, and other features ordetails, together with their separate and co-acting functions, will beexplained in connection with the accompanying Adrawings where- 1n:

Figure 1, is a side view in elevation, of a folding machine embodying my invention; certain parts thereof being broken away and sectioned better to illustrate the, improvements.

Fig. 2, is an enlarged fragmentary, view,

partially sectioned, illustrating the proper position of the buckling and folding rolls and the members of the folding plate, including their adjusting means, with `a sheet of paper as it is about to enter between the folding rolls.

The same reference character is employed in both gures to indicate similar parts.

My invention is applicable to any of the folding plates in this general typel of paper folding machines, z'. e. toany of horizontal folding plates that may be required, and to the side plate, and a part or all of the lfeaturesfconjointly described and shown, may be used therein. ,Y

Fig. 1 shows sufficient mechanism of a paper folding machine, to explain my invenof the series tion, while omitting unnecessary details already well known inthe art. rlhe frame a is provided with the usual feeding table a', whereon a sheet of papera is shown in position for entrance between the feeding rolls posed vertically at an angleof 45 with the folding machine, is providedy for making a right angle fold, andthe improvements further to be described, may with advantage be duplicated `in the construction of said side 1 plate.

@seeing 119W .to Fis# 2, it will le@ een l 'Y fectively formed by the means heretofore described, 'and thek folding plate in questionV curved groove or throat 7 thatthe axes of the buckling and folding rolls c, d, and e, respectively, lie in two intersecting planes forming an obtuse angle, whereby greater space is provided between the rolls, and desirable adjustments are provided for the lower member or grid ofthe folding plate. The precise angle of the plane intersecting the axes of the buckling rolls c, d is 72, described between said plane and the plane of the horizontal yfolding plate, or 18 with the vertical. The forward edge or extremity of the grid member f, lies closely adjacent to the surface of the roll 0 and its upwardly inclined face'is merged in a curved longitudinal groove f whose purpose will later appear. Moreover, the paper may be passed with a minimum deflection or angle, 'directly into the buckling plate.

j The second grid member g is provided with a downwardly extending lip g', and said member as a whole is made adjustable in a horizontal plane with respect not only to the grid member f, but the rolls c, (Z, and e. A plurality of bolts z' and co-acting slots are rovided for obtaining this adjustment. f Ioreover, said grid g has a slight vertical forward adjustment, with respect to grid f andthe co-acting rolls. This isprovided by knurled screws j and nuts y" thereon, for locking the screws and the grid'members in their positions both of vertical Vand A spacing members for insuring the minimum opening therebetween.

The functions of my improved apparatus may now be described in the light of the foregoing. sheet of paper 7c is assumed to have been passed between the buckling iolls until its lforward edge has engaged the adjustable' stop of the folding plate, whereupon a buckle or loop 7c is formed transverselyof the sheet and the secondary buckle k has simultaneously been formed against the C of the folding plate. The buckle lo thus is accurately formed in position to pass between thefold;V ing rolls (Z, c and it is supported or rearwardly stayed by the lip g.'

- The significance of this action will better appear by referring to dotted line 1 which indicates the buckling under similar circumstances of a sheet of paper in a folding plate unequipped with my improvements. Two partially unsupported buckles or loops Z', Z are formed therein, which frequently results in the formation of two corresponding irregular folds in the signature, thereby spoiling it for use. This second fold is efis adapted to handle paper stock which would catch and stall in the ordinary 'foldditions. A

Still referring to Figf2, the`V plate by reason of its'spacing adjustment betweenjthe grids, is adapted for handling either light or heavy paper stock; this adjustment permitting each particular job or fold to be accomplished under the best conclose spacing ofthe grids is most advantageous for thin stock while a wide spacing thereof is best for heavy stock.

Another action obtainable by the longitiidinal and horizontal adjustment of the grid member g with respect to the second folding roll c, is that its tractive effect, tending to carry the buckle of the paper between the folding rolls, is availed of with a' distant positioning of said grid g with respect tothe roll c. This adjustment also tends to avoid the formation of double folds `in heavy paper stock'.

It will be observed that with the arrangement shown, the angle formed by the throat of the buckling plate with the initial path ofthe paper is decidedly obtuse, and in consequence, a minimum deflection of the paper l following 1. In a folding machine, the combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated therewith in such relation that the axes of such rolls are Vdisposed in two planes, intersecting at an obtuse angle, substantially Vas set forth.

2. ln a folding machine, lthe combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated therewith in such relation 'that the forward edge of the buckling plate, and the axes of two of said rolls are disposed substantially in a common plane with the periphery of the third roll closely Yadjacent to said plane, substanvtially asset forth.

v3. 1n a folding machine, the combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated therewith; the forward edge of the plate being extended well between the buckling rolls and closely adjacent to one of them, the said buckling plate having a supporting member for the folded sheet extending toward the axis of the outer folding roll, substantially as set forth.` v

a. In a folding machine, the'combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated therewith; the

forward' edge portion of said plate being -concavely recessed vinlpositionv todirect the paper between the' folding rolls, substantially as set forth,

5. A buckling plate for paper-folding machines, comprising two separated grid-members, and means for securing their adjustable spacing or separation, substantially as set forth.

6. A buckling plate for paper-folding machines, comprising two grid-members, and means for securing their relative adjustment longitudinally and at right angles thereto, substantially as set forth.

7 In a paper-folding machine, the combination with buckling and folding rolls, of a buckling plate associated therewith, comprising two relatively adjustable members; one of said members being spaced at variable distances from the other, and, means for` securing its adjustment both with respect t0 the rolls and its opposing member in variably spaced relation, substantially as set forth.

8. In a folding machine, the combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated therewith and positioned closely adjacent t0 the forward edge of said buckling pla-te; the vfirst and last roll of the set being separated or widely spaced apart to permit the members of the buckling plate separable adjustment, and screw-adjusting mechanism connecting said members and adapted for regulating the opening within the buckling plate, substantially as set forth.

9. In a folding machine, the combination with the buckling plate thereof, of buckling and folding rolls associated Itherewith,` comprising a set of three co-acting rolls, the axis of the intermediate roll lying substantially in the plane of the buckling plate, and the axes of the outer rolls lying in a plane approximately that of the forward edge of the buckling plate, substantially as set forth.

10. In a folding machine, the combination with folding and buckling rolls, of a buckling plate positioned closely adjacent thereto with respect to its forward edge; said edge being shaped to present a concave deflecting surface for the paper as it enters the folding rolls, substantially as set forth.

ll. In a paper-folding machine, the cornbination with folding and buckling rolls disposed to permit the positioning of the buckling plate with its throat closely adjacent to all of said rolls, of a buckling plate associated Itherewith and positioned substantiallyk in the plane followed by the initial course of the paper into and between the buckling rolls, substantially as set forth.

12. In a paper-folding machine, the combination with folding and buckling rolls, of a buckling plate associated therewith, comprising upper and lower grids; the lower grid having a downwardly depending lip adjacent to the folding rolls extending toward the axis of the outer roll, adapted to support the paper as it enters between said rolls, substantially as set forth.

13. In a paper-folding machine, the combination with a set of folding and buckling rolls, of a buckling plate positioned closely adjacent thereto and comprising upper and lower grids; the former being shaped to present a concave defiecting surface, and the latter having a downwardly depending lip, substantially as set forth.

14. In a paper-folding machine, the combination with a set of folding and buckling rolls, the axes of which lie in intersecting planes forming an obtuse angle, of a buckling plate positioned within said obtuse angle closely adjacent to all of said rolls and in a plane forming a wide angle with the initial path of the paper entering between the folding rolls, whereby the deflection of the paper is relatively slight in entering the buckling plate, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do now affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW OLSON.

Witnesses:

G. Fonnns'r, ALBERT LYNN LAWRENCE. 

